Alica Grenier scores nine goals for Pine Manor

Wednesday

Dec 2, 2009 at 12:01 AMDec 4, 2009 at 11:27 AM

By Jason Kenney

By Jason Kenney

Correspondent

SWANSEA — When Alicia Grenier was a student at Case High School, she set the school record for scoring the most goals in a single season during her senior year. Now, two years later, it should come as no surprise that she's leaving a mark on the women's soccer team at Pine Manor College.

In just two seasons, Grenier has led the Lady Gators in goals, scoring 11 goals her freshmen year and nine goals this year, which ties her for tenth in the 13-school Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC). The forward also ranks sixth in the league in shots per game (4.19) and seventh in shots (67). On top of that, she was recently selected the school's "Student-Athlete of the Week" after scoring a hat trick against Mitchell College that led the Lady Gators to victory. It was Grenier's second hat trick of the season

and third for her career.

"I feel really good and accomplished about my first two seasons," said Grenier. "I've made amazing friends and, because of how close we've become off the soccer field, it shows on the field."

Grenier said that her coach, Cory Kinsella, told her that she would make a big impact on the team at the start of her freshmen year.

"My coach told me from the beginning that I would accomplish things here and really help the program," she said. "However, I never thought that I would be ranked in the GNAC. I never thought that I would be told that I was the 'glue' of the team from my coach."

Coach Kinsella said that Grenier is an asset to the team in many ways and is proud to be her coach.

"Her ability to put the ball in the back is just one of the many great assets Alicia contributes to the Gators," she said. "She never fails us in the attacking end. She is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, forwards that will pass through the Gators soccer program. I couldn't be more proud to say I have the opportunity to coach such a great talent."

Coach Kinsella also said that Grenier leads by example and that her work ethic is second to none.

"Her work ethic and commitment sets the bar high for everyone on the team," she said. "Alicia did not miss one practice this season. On top of being a soccer player for the Gators, she has taken on the role of Residence Assistant in the dorms, is working at City Sports, while going to school full time. She has worked hard when managing her schedule to be 100 percent committed to everything she does. She is a great leader for this team because she strives to become a better student, athlete, and overall person. Without her strong work ethic and commitment, this team would not be as successful as it is today."

While Grenier has led her team in almost every statistical category, she credits the soccer program at Case High School under its coach Raul Reis for making her the player she is today.

"My experience at Case was definitely a preparation for college," she said. "Raul was a great coach and really helped me with a lot. Without him telling me how to make my diagonal runs perfect and having him push me to do my absolute best, I would not be the player I am today."

Grenier also said her experience on the soccer team at Case helped ease the transition to playing at the collegiate level.

"It was not difficult at all adjusting my freshman year," she acknowledged. "That was one of my reasons for moving (to Swansea from Kingston, Rhode Island) my senior year so that I would be prepared for college. I was confident and I believe that was a major plus into my transition to college."

When asked what she likes most about the sport, she said loves the intensity level on the field and the long-lasting bonds she has formed with her teammates.

"Soccer is where I let everything go out of my head and it's just me and the sport I grew up playing," she said. "I love it because of the intensity that can be brought on the field and the family that you create. This is the one sport that I have continued to play since I was 5 and I believe that it just keeps getting more and more interesting and makes me want to play it that much more."

With the soccer season now over, Grenier said she will work out at the gym in the off-season and get ready to play softball for Pine Manor in the spring. In the meantime, she is already looking forward to her junior year on the soccer team.

"I am looking forward to next season," she said. "I am looking forward to new girls coming to the team that can hopefully fit in with the rest of us. I'm hoping that a lot of them come in because I'm hoping for a better and more positive season next year. Although winning is not everything, it would be nice to have more wins under our belt."